D.J. Linderman is about as happy as a 230-pound clam could ever be on the eve of battle.

Returning to heavyweight has its perks. Weight-cutting and hydration issues are worries of the past.

It’s afforded the 28-year-old California native a healthy allotment of time to sightsee throughout southern and eastern Ireland with nothing but a singular focus on his crafted game on a loop in his mind.

At first glance, he may appear to not have a care in the world, but this would be inaccurate. He has one and one only.

“It’s been a damn pleasure getting to see things most people in their life don’t see,” Linderman told MMAjunkie.com Radio following his pre-fight excursions.

Don’t worry. He made sure to take his camera.

“(I) took in all the castles and all the relics and stuff to check out,” Linderman said. “I spent pretty much a good part of the day the other day – I took a big walk over mountains checking out the monuments.”

Anything to stay calm while killing time in the process was a welcomed prospect.

“It was just amazing seeing some of the stuff that built back in the 11th century and the 15th century,” he said. “It’s been crazy just seeing these things. (I was) just getting relaxed, getting into my mindset. And I got plenty of rest and no jet lag at all. I’m feeling great.”

Linderman, who briefly moved to light heavyweight for Bellator’s fourth-season tournament, made his Cage Warriors’ debut in April and defeated Bobby Brents by unanimous decision.

It took nearly three years, but the paths of Linderman and the aforementioned Hayes have intersected once again. Linderman won a unanimous decision following 15 minutes of action when the pair fought in Washington under the Alliance Fights banner in 2009.

After traversing the Atlantic Ocean, they’ll now come face to face a second time to find out who has gone through the more substantial progression in their respective careers.

Linderman certainly isn’t lacking any confidence heading into his third fight of the calendar year.

“I’m feeling just at the top of my game,” he said. “Nothing is draining me from anywhere. I’m coming out here purely at 230 pounds – what I walk around at. It can’t get any better.”

And if all goes well, he plans on taking his belt home and seeing to it he keeps his foot on the pedal.

“I hope to have four to five more fights (this year),” Linderman said. “If I could, I’d fight every month as long as I’m not getting hurt.

“I do like to take time and spend it with my family, take a little bit of time off, but when business calls and when it jumps my career up, I’m willing to take that shot at the next fight that’s in line.”

MMAjunkie.com Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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